Expressing press



June 1, 1943. B, UPTQN 2,320,765

EXPRESS ING PRESS 5 Sheets-Sheet l f5.1 0^ 6 24 j f f4 T5672 .6E V/ ff@ Q 0 G /7`\ J5;-

A TMR/V56.

June 1, 1943.

EXPRESS ING PRESS Filed Sept. l'7, 1941 .Arms/@viii c. B, UPTON 2,320,765

C. B. UPTON June l, 1943.

ExPREssING Pmsss 'Filed sept. 17', 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 amm.

Nu MN RN rilfl June 1, '1943.

C. B. UPTON EXPREssING-PRESS Filed sept. 17, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS June 1, 1943,

PToN 2,320,765

Patented June 1, 1943 E STATES TENT OFFICE EXPRESSING PRESS Charles B. Upton, Piqua, Ohio, assignor to The French Oil Mill Machinery Company, Piqua,

Ohio

Application September 17, 1941, Serial No. 411,131

Claims.

through the cage and through a discharge opening in one end thereof so as to create pressure, by which the liquid is squeezed from the material and escapes through drainage openings in the walls of the cage. The cage in presses of this type commonly consists of a strong outer frame or apertured structure having an annular perforate lining which may be Iconstructed of .bars arranged lengthwise of the cage, and separated by narrow intervening spaces which form the drainage apertures or escape openings for the expressed liquid.

A primary object of my invention is to produce a press cage or barrel of novel and improved construction, whereby material being pressed or treated therein may be efficiently cooled, or heated, or have its temperature regulated during the treatment thereof, as may be required.

Other objects of the invention Iare to provide a press cage or barrel of improved construction having a novel arrangement of internal passages in its walls for the circulation therethrough of a temperature changing medium, for cooling; heating or regulating lthe temperature of the material being pressed or treated therein, as may be most suitable, depending upon the particular material being treated or the particular results desired; to construct a press cage with internal canals Ain its walls through which a temperature changing medium can be circulated and which are arranged so as to ensure an eilicient exchange of heat between the cage lining and the temperature changing medium; and to produce a press cage with a grid structure which is interposed between the lining and the outer frame body of the cage and is provided with a number of internal canals connected for the circulation therethrough of a temperature changing medium.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following specification of two slightly diierent embodiments of the in- Veriton, lshown in the accompanying drawings, and the novel features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a broken side elevation, on a reduced scale, partly in section, o-fva mechanical or screw press having a cage or barrel-embodying theV invention.

Figs. 2 and 3 are fragmentary, transverse, sectional elevations of the canal grid structure on lines 2 2 yand 3 3, respectively, Fig. 8.

Fig. 4 is a transverse, Sectional elevation thereof, enlarged, on line 4 4, Fig. 8. g

Fig. 5 is a schematic, perspective view showing the piping connections for circulating the temperature changing medium.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, transverse section of the cage or ba-rrel on line 6-`6, Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary, longitudinal section through one of the adjustable holding or wedge bars for the lining bars of the cage.

Fig. 8 is a broken, side elevation, partly in section, of the canal grid structure of the cage,

Fig. 13 is a broken, longitudinal section thereof, enlarged, on line |3-|3, Fig. 12.

Figs. 14 and 15 are detail sections thereof on lines l4-I4 and |5-l5, respectively. Fig. 13.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Fig. 1, A represents the press cage or `barrel and B the worms or screws xed on a rotary worm shaft extending axially through the cage and, which by their rotation act to force the material lengthwise through the cage and extrude or discharge the solid material'through a discharge opening C at one 'end of the cage. As usual in presses of this type, the press is equipped with means which, by Way of example, may consist of an adjustable cone D, for more or less restricting or varying the VareaV of the discharge opening C, as may be required, to eiect the resistance to the discharge 'of the'material necessary to create an appropriate pressure on the material'v in the cage. The cage preferably comprises a strong outer frame -or structure E having openings between its component parts andan annular, apertured inner lining -F which forms the peripheral wall of the pressing chamber and which may be, and preferablyis formed by an and separated by intervening, narrow spaces |5a which form the drainage apertures for the escape of the oil or liquid expressed from the material being pressed in the cage.

As shown, the outer cage frame is made in two halves or Sections divided on a diametrical, axial plane of the cage, each section consisting of a single, integral steel casting comprising strong, rigid, longitudinal bars I6 at opposite sides of the section and strong spaced ribs |1 of approximately semi-circular form which extend transversely from one to the other of and connect the two side bars I6. The drainage bars I5 with intervening spacing devices, not shown, between them, are secured in place inthe cage frame sections at the inner, concaved sides thereof between longitudinal holding or abutment bars i8 and |9 xed to the side bars |6 of the frame sections, and longitudinal holding or wedge bars 29 which are disposed between groups of the drainage bars and are adapted to be adjusted, as by screw stems 2| and nuts 22 for clamping the drainage bars between the fixed and adjustable holding bars. One of the bars, as I9, at each of the opposite sides vof the cage, as shown, may be provided with inwardly projecting portions 23 which constitute breaker bars for opposing rotation of the material being pressed in the cage. The two halves or sections of the cage frame may be hinged, as on hinge bolts or shafts 2d on the press frame extending through lugs at the end portions of adjacent sides of the two sections, to facilitate opening up the cage, and the` two sections are firmly secured together to complete the cage, as by transverse bolts 23 extending through bolt holes in each section and screwed into threaded bolts in the opposite section.

As thus far described, the cage is substantially of aknown construction employed in presses of this type.

The cage is of improved construction in the respects now to be described, for the purpose of providing means for circulating a temperature changing medium through the internal canals in the walls of the cage, for cooling, heating or regulating the temperature of the material being pressed or treated in the press. A number of these canals is provided, preferably one extending lengthwise of and adjacent to each of the drainage bars so that an efficient exchange of heat is effected between a medium owing through the canals andthe cage lining or the material being treated in the pressing chamber of the cage, the canals being suitably connected with means for circulating the temperature changing medium through the several canals.

In the embodiment of my invention, illustrated in Figs. 2-11 of the drawings, these canals are formed in a separate annular grid structure which. is interposed in the cage structure between its outer frame E and its apertured or drainage lining F. This grid structure, as shown, is made in two approximately segmental or semiannular grids or sections 21, each of which consists of a casting of steel or other suitable metal that fits in one section of the outer cage frame E against the inner curved faces of the ribs |1 and forms the inner curved face of the cage section within which the drainage bars |5 are secured, with the outer edge of each drainage bar preferably in direct metal to metal contact with the inner face of the grid. Each grid 21 is made with slots or openings 28 extending radially therethrough in register with the drainage openings |6 between the drainage bars, to permit the escape of the expressed liquid from the expressing chamber of the cage. Each grid also has a multiplicity of internal canals 29, preferably extending longitudinally of the cage between the slots 28 and one opposite and adjacent each of the drainage bars l5, and transverse canals 3l) and 3|, at opposite ends of the grid, which connect the longitudinal canals to each other in a system for the circulation therethrough of the temperature changing medium. As shown, each grid has two transverse canals 39, at one end thereof, separated by a partition or wall 32 and a single transverse canal 3| at the opposite end of the grid, so that the medium admitted to one canal 3B at one end of the grid can pass therefrom through the communicating longitudinal canals 29 to the canal 3| at the opposite end of the grid, and return from the latter through the remaining longitudinal canals 29 to the second transverse canal 30 to discharge therefrom through a suitable pipe or connection.

'Ihe longitudinal canals 29 can be conveniently made as best illustrated in Fig. 3, by grooves formed in the outer side of the grid 21, and metal closure strips 33, which are secured in the outer portions of the grooves with liquid tight joints between the strips and walls of the grooves, as by Welds 34 in each groove at opposite sides of the closure strip. The transverse canals 30 and 3|, can be made in the ends of the grid, as illustrated i'n Figs. 10 and by reducing each end of the grid to form a shoulder 35 thereon and welding a curved flange strip 36 on the end portion of the grid surrounding the shoulder 35, so as to form a canal or channel between the shoulder 35 and the inwardly projecting end flange of the strip 36. Welds 31 and 38 are shown securing this end strip 3G to the grid with liquid tight joints at the inner and outer edges of the strips. A desirable way of making the grids 21 is to make a singlegrid in the form of an annular cylinder having the canals formed therein, as explained, and then cut the same in two at diametrically opposite sides to form the two segmental grids.

In order to still further increase the heat exchange, heating or cooling eciency of the Dress, the above described liquid circulating canals 29, which are intimately associated with theseveral drainage bars of the cage, are preferably supplemented by liquid circulating canalsextending lengthwise in the side bars i3 of thecage frame sections and also in the adjustable wedge or holding bars for the drainage bars. A canal 49 is shown extending lengthwise in each of the cage side bars I6, and a canal 4| extending lengthwise in each section of each of the adjustable wedge bars 29. Each of the wedge bars, instead of' being made continuous from end to endl of the cage, is shown as made inv a plurality of sections, for the purpose of more securely holding` the drainage bars, and each section is made with a longitudinal canal 4| therein. Since the fixed holding bars I8 and |9 are disposed between groups of the drainage bars and contactvwith the material being treated in the cage, and are directly secured to the cagev side bars I6, the canals 4|) in the side bars are thus so closely associated with the holding bars as to effect an efficient exchange of heatvbetween the holding barsv and theY temperature changing medium circulating through these` canals 40. Also, the adjustable wedgev bars 20 are arranged between groups of the lining or drainage bars and contact with theA material being Therefore the circulationV treated in the cage. of the temperature changing medium through the canals 29 surrounding and in close heat exchange relationship with the drainage bars,V

augmented by the circulation of the medium through the canals in the iixed and adjustable ,holding bars provide an eiicient cooling, heating or temperature changing means or system for the cage.

Heretofore presses of this type have had provision for circulating a heating or cooling medium through their worm or screw shafts and, if heating or cooling, in addition to that provided by means of the canals hereinbefore described is required, the heating or cooling medium can also be circulated as heretofore, or in any suitable manner through the worm shaft, the same being shown in the drawings as provided with a central, longitudinal canal 42 for this purpose.

Any suitable piping system or connections can be employed which will effect a proper circulation of the temperature changing medium through the various described canals of the cage. For instance, a piping system arranged as illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. can be employed. In this figure, 50 is a supply pipe provided with main branches 5l and 51a, one for the canals at one side of the press and the other for those at the opposite side of the press. The main branch 5I has three branches 52, 53 and 54. Branch 52 connects with one of the canals 3U at one end of the adjacent canal grid to supply medium thereto, and the medium flows from this end canal 30 through the longitudinal canals 29 communicating therewith to the canal 3| at the opposite end of the grid, and from kthence returns through the longitudinal grid canals 29 at the opposite side of the wall or partition 32 back to the second end canal 30 of the grid, from which the medium discharges through connected discharge pipes 55, 58 and 5l. Branch supply pipe 53 is connected by branches 58 to the inlet end of the canal 4I in each of the wedge bar sections at the adjacent side of the press, and the discharge ends of these canals 4| are connected by branches 5S to the discharge pipe 55. The third supply branch 54 is connected with the inlet end of the canal 45 in one side bar i6 of the adjacent half of the cage frame E and by a branch E@ with the inlet end of the canal 4D in the opposite side bar I6 of said half of the cage frame E. The opposite ends of these side bar canals are connected by branch discharge pipes 6I and 62 with the discharge pipes 5l, 56. Thus the temperature changing medium is circulated through the several canals in one-half of the cage. The medium is supplied to and discharged from the canals in the other half of the cage by correspondingly arranged supply and discharge pipes or branches indicated by corresponding reference numerals with the exponent a added. The piping system can be equipped with suitable valves for controlling the circulation through the various cage canals as may be required for obtaining one or another desired result.

Figs. 12-15 show a somewhat modified cmbodiment of the invention, in which the longitudinal canals of the circulating system for the temperature changing medium, instead of being formed by channels 29 machined in a separate grid shell interposed between the lining and outer frame Vor portion ofthe cage walls, as shown in Figs. 2 -11, are formed by tubes 29a which ex- 75 and outer frame or portion of the cage walls. Preferably, there is one of these tubes for each of the lining bars l5, the tube extending parallel with and contacting with the outer edge or face of the lining bar. The tubes connect at opposite ends with circumferentially disposed canais Sila and 31a. corresponding with the canals 3B and 3l in the opposite ends of the cage, in the previously described construction. canals 30a and Sla may be formed by segmentalcircular grooves formed or machined in the ends of each section or half of the cage frame E, with the outer sides of the grooves closed by curved sealing strips secured in the outerL portions of the grooves with fluid tight joints, as by welds 56. The ends of the tubes may besecured, as by brazing, indicated at Sl in holes 53 passing through the segmental end bars of the cage frame sections from the inner faces thereof to the canal forming grooves. Between their ends, the tubes are offset inwardly and lie and are confined in longitudinal grooves 68 machined in the inner faces of the curved ribs or cross members l1 of the cage frame sections. The bottoms of these grooves are preferably of semicircular shape to conform to and contact with the surfaces of the tubes and, preferably the sides of the tubes next to the lining bars l5, are iiattened, as shown in Figs. 14 and 15, to give a broad face to face contact between each tube and the adjacent lining bar. The tubes may be made of copper or other suitable metal having a high coefficient of heat conductivity,

Vso as to insure a very efficient transfer of heat from the lining bars of the cage to the temperature changing medium which is circulated through the tubes. These longitudinal tubes 29a are separated by spaces 10 which register or communicate with the drainage spaces l5' intervening between the lining bars I5 thereby enabling free escape of the expressed liquid from the expressing chamber through the spaces.

The spaced longitudinal tubes 29a thus arranged and connected at their ends Vto the communicating circulating canals Sila and Sla form,

in effect, a grid with lengthwise and transverse.

supporting ribs or parts Il of the cage wall orV frame at opposite sides of the companion tube. Thus, the tubes do not have to withstand the pressure to which the lining bars are subjected in the use of the press, and tubes of copper or other relatively soft metal having a high coeflicient of conductivity can be employed. Also, the spaces 70 between the tubes are coextensive lengthwise of the cage with the drainage spaces I5 between the lining bars, and thus aid in the free escape of the expressed liquid.

The temperature changing medium can be circulated through the connecting longitudinal and transverse or circumferential-canals in this constructionin the manner explained in connection with the previous construction, or in any other.

tend lengthwise of the cage between the lining As shown, these endr suitable manner. For example, each cage half or section may have two of the transverse canals 30a at one end, each communicating with onehalf of the tubes in that section and a single, transverse cana-l 31a at its opposite end communicating with ally of the tubes of the section, so that fluid admitted to one canal Sta through a connecting inlet duct 'll in the Vcage section will pass lengthwise through one-half 'of the tubes to the canal 31a at the opposite endof the cage section, and return through the remaining half of the tubes to the other transverse canal Sila and discharge through a similar outlet duct l2 in the cage section.

The ducts 1I, 'I2 can, as shown, connect the canals 30a or 31a with the canals `40 in the cage side bars, or they can connect with any other suitable supply anddischarge pipes or'connections for circulating the medium through canals 29a, 30a and 3la.

The efcient cooling or heating of the pressing chamber or material being processed therein made possible by a press constructed with the hereindescribed circulating means for a temperature changing medium adapts the press for performing various diierent processing operations on different materials and obtaining different irnproved or desired results in the operation of the press. In processing materials in mechanical presses of the type disclosed, the friction developed in the pressing operation creates heat which, in some processes results in the cage lining or drainage bars and other parts of the cage becoming very hot, and in the treatment of some materials, it is essential to efficient operation, and in order to obtain oils or liquids of certain desired qualities or characteristics to cool the material or maintain adesired temperature in the pressing chamber. Thisl can be done with the described constructions. The heat is conducted through the cage lining or drainage and holding bars to canals, which are disposed in good heat exchange relation thereto, and can be efciently carried off by a cooling medium circulated through the canals. Cold water, oil or any other suitable liquid or gaseous cooling medium or refrigerant can be employed and,r by appropriate regulation of the temperature of the same or its circulation through `some or all of the press canals, the temperature in the pressing chamber can be controlled as may be required. On the other hand, it may be necessary or desirable in carrying out some processes to more or less raise the temperature in the pressing chamber, and this can be accomplished by circulating hot water, steam or other suitable liquid or gaseousheating medium through some or all of the cage canals, and at one or another temperature, depending upon the result sought.

Among the various uses for-a press embodying my improvedconstruction, the following may be mentioned. By freezing fruit juices, such as orange juice, grape juice, cider and many other` fruit juices, and processing the frozen juice in the press, the ice can be discharged as ice in cake form from the end discharge opening of the cage and the sugar syrup expressed and separated as a liquid from the frozen juice by escape through the drainage apertures in the walls of the cage. This sugar syrup can be kept for months without deterioriation, and water added to it later to reproduce the flavor and other characteristics of the original fruit juice. ,It is necessary to maintain Vextremely low temperatures in the Apressing chamber in effecting this (ill ice and syrup separation, and the described construction is peculiarly adaptedl for the purpose. A suitable refrigerant at a temperature considerably below zero can be circulated through the several canals of the cage and of the worm shaft to keep the entire press at the low temperature required and4 carry away immediately the 'friction heat developed through the pressure of expressing the sugar syrup from the ice and at the same time prevent the ice from melting,` as then the water would escape with the sugar syrup. Likewise, the press is suitable for separating clean from stearine in various oils at the required low temperatures at which one oil is a solid and the other still remains a liquid.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an expressing press which comprises a cage having escape openings through its walls for expressed liquid and means for subjecting material in the cage to pressure for expressing liquid therefrom and extruding material through a discharge opening in the cage, an improved cage comprising a lining which confines the material and provides the escape openings for the expressed liquid, an outer cage frame structure which supports and braces said lining, and a canal grid which is interposed between said lining and said outer structure and is provided with pass-- ages which extend transversely therethrough and communicate with the openings in the liningv for the escape of the expressed liquid and with a plurality of internal cana-ls which extend approximately parallel with and in close proximity to the outer surface of said lining, said canals being formed in portions of said grid which are disposed between said liquid escape passages of the grid and directly contact with said lining, said canals being connected with means for circulating therethrough a fluid temperature changing medium.

2. A cage for an expressing press as set for-th in claim l, in which the material is moved lengthwise thro-ugh the cage and discharged through an opening at one end thereof, and the canals in said grid extend lengthwise of the cage and are arranged relatively closely to each other.

3. In an expressing press which comprises a cage forming a pressing chamber, and means for subjecting material in said chamber to pressure for expressing liquid therefrom, said cage comprising an annular lining which forms the peripheral walls of the pressing chamber and has radial escape openings therethrough for the expressed liquid, and an outer cage frame structureA which surrounds and braces said lining, the imf proved heat exchange means comprising an annular canal grid struct-ure which surrounds the lining between the same and said outer frame structure and is provided with openings that communicate with the escape openings of said lining for the passage of the expressed liquid and with a plurality of internal canals formed in portions of the grid which are disposed between said grid openings and directly contact with said lining, said canals being connected for circulating therethrough a fluid temperature changing medium.

4. A cage for an expressing press as set forth in claim 3, inv which said .grid structure contacts with said lining' and is provided with a plurality of internal canals which extend lengthwise of the outer surface of and in close proximity to the lining and are connected with circumferential canais for circulating therethrough a iluid telnperature changing medium.

5. A cage for an expressing press as set forth in Vclaim 3, in which said lining comprises separate bars extending lengthwise of the cage with intervening spaces forming the escape openings for the expressed liquid and the canals of said grid structure extend lengthwise one approximately opposite and adjacent each of said lining bars.

6. In an expressing press which comprises a cage forming a pressing chamber, and means for subjecting material in said chamber to pressure for expressing liquid therefrom, an improved cage comprising a lining formed by an annular series of bars which extend lengthwise of the cage and are separated by intervening spaces forming escape openings for the expressed liquid, and a separate structure which surrounds and supports said lining bars and is provided with a plurality of portions which extend lengthwise of and one opposite and contacting with each of said lining bars and form internal canals adjacent said lining bars, said structure being also provided with through radial openings between said canals for the passage of the expressed liquid, said canals being connected for circulating therethrough a fluid temperature changing medium.

'7. A cage for an expressing press as set forth in claim 6, in which holding bars for said lining bars extend lengthwise of the cage between groups of the lining bars and are provided with internal lengthwise canals connected with means for circulating therethrough a iiuid temperature changing medium.

8. A cage for an expressing press as set forth in claim 6, in which holding bars for said lining bars extend lengthwise of the cage between groups of the lining bars, and said supporting structure is provided with internal canals extending lengthwise adjacent certain of said holding bars, said canals being connected with means for circulating therethrough a temperature changing medium.

9. A cage for an expressing press as set forth in claim 6, in which relatively stationary and adjustable holding bars for said lining bars extend lengthwise of the cage between groups of the lining bars, certain of said holding bars are provided with internal lengthwise canals, and said supporting structure is provided with internal canals extending lengthwise adjacent certain other of said holding bars, said canals being connected with means for circulating therethrough a temperature changing medium.

10. A cage for an expressing press as set forth in claim 3, in which said lining comprises bars which extend lengthwise of the cage and are separated by intervening spaces forming escape openings for the expressed liquid, said canals of said grid structure extend approximately parallel with and adjacent the several lining bars, and holding bars for said lining bars extend lengthwise between groups of the lining bars and are provided with internal lengthwise canals, said canals being connected with means for circulating therethrough a temperature changing medium.

11. A cage for an expressing press as set forth in claim 3, in which said lining comprises bars which extend lengthwise of the cage and are separated by intervening spaces forming escape openings for the expressed liquid, said canals of said grid structure extend approximately parallel with and adjacent the several lining bars, and holding bars for said lining bars extend lengthwise between groups of the lining bars, and said outer cage structure is provided with internal canals extending lengthwise adjacent certain of said holding bars, said canals being connected with means for circulating therethrough a temperature changing medium.

12. In an expressing press which comprises a cage forming a pressing chamber, and means for subjecting material in said chamber to pressure for expressing liquid therefrom, an improved cage comprising walls having an inner lining around the pressing chamber and having escape openings therethrough for the expressed liquid, and a canal system within said cage walls for the circulation of a fluid temperature changing medium, said system comprising a multiplicity of spaced canals which extend lengthwise of the cage in said walls close to said lining and are disposed between openings provided in the cage walls for the passage of the expressed liquid, said canals being connected for the circulation therethrough of said fluid medium with canals extending circumferentially of the cage in the end portions of said cage walls.

13. In an expressing press, a cage as set forth in claim 12, in which said canal system comprises spaced tubes which extend lengthwise of the cage in said cage walls in direct contact with said lining and are connected in the circulating system with canals extending circumferentially of the cage in the end portions of said cage walls.

14. In an expressing press which comprises a cage forming a pressing chamber, and means for subjecting material in said chamber to pressure for expressing liquid therefrom, an improved cage comprising walls having an inner lining around the pressing chamber and comprising bars extending lengthwise of the cage with intervening spaces for the escape of the expressed liquid, and a canal system within said cage walls for the circulation of a fluid temperature changing medium, said system comprising a plurality of tubes which are disposed between liquid passages through said walls and extend lengthwise of and one in contact with each of said lining bars and are connected in the circulating system with canals extending circumferentially in said cage walls, said tubes being separated by spaces registering with the liquid escape spaces between said lining bars.

15. In an expressing press, a cage as set forth in claim 12, in which the cage walls comprise an outer frame separate from said lining and said canal system comprises spaced tubes which are disposed between said lining and outer frame in grooves formed in the inner surfaces of the outer frame.

CHARLES B. UPTON. 

